A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency observed in the Dublin South East Asian population

Foods as First Defense Against COVID-19

“…Recent reports have indicated that those residing at higher latitudes or with darker skin pigmentation may be particularly affected by COVID-19. These individuals are also at higher risk of obesity, preexisting chronic disease, and vitamin D deficiency [170,171]. While there could be various explanations for this, it supports the assumption that sunlight exposure and hence vitamin D status could be impacting on COVID-19 severity.…”

A systematic review of the role of hypovitaminosis D in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) infection and mortality: Is there a role of recommending high dose vitamin D supplementation?

“…These countries continue to witness greater number of cases and mortality. Although, one could argue that countries like Norway, Sweden and Finland which receive less sunlight than Southern Europe have lower incidence and mortality but their population has much higher mean 25(OH)D and thus relatively vitamin D sufficient owing to widespread fortification of foods [ 21 ]. On the other hand, Italy and Spain being lower latitude nations are also exceptions, but prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in these populations is surprisingly common [ 21 , 22 ].…”

“…Although, one could argue that countries like Norway, Sweden and Finland which receive less sunlight than Southern Europe have lower incidence and mortality but their population has much higher mean 25(OH)D and thus relatively vitamin D sufficient owing to widespread fortification of foods [ 21 ]. On the other hand, Italy and Spain being lower latitude nations are also exceptions, but prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in these populations is surprisingly common [ 21 , 22 ]. Similarly, races with darker skin like Black and minority ethnic people who are more likely to be vitamin D deficient due to lower absorption of Ultra Violet-B (UVB), seem to be worse affected than fair skinned people races [ 21 , 22 , 23 ].…”

“…On the other hand, Italy and Spain being lower latitude nations are also exceptions, but prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in these populations is surprisingly common [ 21 , 22 ]. Similarly, races with darker skin like Black and minority ethnic people who are more likely to be vitamin D deficient due to lower absorption of Ultra Violet-B (UVB), seem to be worse affected than fair skinned people races [ 21 , 22 , 23 ].…”

COVID-19: the heart and other issues

“…Recent reports have indicated that those residing at higher latitudes, or with darker skin pigmentation (Black Asian Minority ethnics -BAME in UK) may be particularly affected by Covid-19 20 . BAME are also at higher risk of obesity, pre-existing chronic disease (such as heart disease or diabetes) and vitamin D deficiency 21,22 . Importantly, it is already evident that there is a world-wide association between northern latitude and increased Covid-19 mortality 23 .…”